Rush, Three Mile Pilot and more San Diego concerts

PLAN A: Rush @ Valley View Casino Center. My friend Hannah Rappleye recently saw Rush in New York City, and she reports that the show was "awesome." In a three-hour set, the Canadian power trio played every song from its new album, Clockwork Angels, along with many classics. It also featured a small orchestra, a rotating drum set for Neil Peart, a short film involving "angry trickster dwarves" and—of course—a T-shirt cannon. PLAN B: Cash'd Out, The Bedbreakers @ The Casbah. Winners of Best Tribute Band in this year's San Diego Music Awards, Cash'd Out are the spittin' image of country legend Johnny Cash and his longtime backing band, the Tennessee Three. Yes, even down to Cash's slick, pomaded pompadour.

Thursday, Nov. 22

PLAN A: Turkey Tornado, Gravy Jones & The Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sam's Supreme Stuffing Band @ My House. Two years ago, my band Bruisecaster celebrated Thanksgiving by launching an impromptu jam session in my friends' garage. It was awesome, and we might end up doing a repeat this year, since there isn't much of anything going on with live music tonight. BACKUP PLAN: Tofurkey Tom and the Vegan Platter, The Julian Pie Revue @ My Friend's House.

Friday, Nov. 23

PLAN A: Coda Reactor, The Gore Horsemen, Hit Dog Hollar, The Last Years @ Soda Bar. After gorging yourself on all manner of Thanksgiving Day eats, nothing will burn off those gained calories quite like a high-intensity rock 'n' roll workout from local bruisers Coda Reactor. PLAN B: Gucci Mane @ 4th & B. Southern rapper Gucci Mane has gotten plenty of attention for his recent batch of high-profile disses (targets included Nas and Nicki Minaj). But don't let that overshadow his thumping new mixtape, Trap God, which features big names like Rick Ross and Waka Flocka Flame. BACK- UP PLAN: The Original Wailers, Zig Zag Jones @ The Griffin. Led by guitar-playing Bob Marley collaborator Al Anderson, The Original Wailers lay down organic roots reggae as it sounded back in the mid-'70s, only with a little more pomp.

PLAN A: Three Mile Pilot, Vampire @ The Griffin. Obviously, everybody's going to this show to see local indie-rock favorites Three Mile Pilot, who released a new EP, Maps, in July. But I'm also curious to see Vampire, a relatively new local band that plays gloomy, Depeche Mode-style synthpop. PLAN B: Jon Kruger @ Tin Can Ale House. I've been fixin' to check out Tin Can's weekly Country Club, which goes down every Monday. Tonight, River City guitarist / vocalist Jon Kruger will recast his band's dark, quirky folk in a special solo set.